This entrepreneur and strategic coach presents two case studies, from her entrepreneur client base, which approach compensating "A" players in very different ways. Both had the same goal though--keep them on the team.

Even if you're the CEO, building enthusiasm among your troops for a new product idea can be tricky. What's the secret to success? Show them how it can actually become their idea. This article provides three real-life examples of how this approach works.

Martin Eberhard is the Co-Founder, President of Technology and former CEO of Tesla Motors, a company that produces the Tesla Roadster, a battery-powered electric sports car. Eberhard discusses his inspiring journey of diverse experiences in building Tesla Motors. He describes the lessons he learned: from the realization of doing something meaningful to thinking an idea through and aggressively following all leads. Tesla Motors which started with two employees is now more than 250 employees strong.

The Humane Society of Silicon Valley had gone to the dogs before president Christine Benninger took hold of the leash in 1993. By nearly every metric - profits earned, animals saved, customers satisfied - she outlines how proven business practices transformed the HSSV into best of breed.

Brett Crosby, Group Manager of Google Analytics, describes the ebb and flow of the process by which his web analytics company, Urchin, was acquired by Google. He also shares some inspirational lessons in making small business loom large.

The co-founders of B Lab, Jay Coen Gilbert, Bart Houlahan, and Andrew Kassoy, unveil their infrastructure play that seeks to give voice to the burgeoning panoply of green business. They explain how a higher set of corporate standards accountable to the environment, employees, and the community, can craft a healthier corporate ecosystem for all.

An outstanding office culture trumps all, says Ken Wilcox, the CEO of Silicon Valley Bank, who heads the most noted financial hub for the technology sector. Wilcox discusses how his financial services institution has scaffolded against recession, and bullet points the uniqueness of commercial banking for the tech start-up.

In contrast to simply donating dollars for public relations benefit, in-house altruism today means ubiquitous dedication to real causes. Dr. Larry Brilliant, Executive Director for Google.org, points out that effective business-backed giving means global outreach, partnerships with experts at the heart of solving problems, and a dedicated percentage of gross income to keep these projects afloat.

Ninety-percent of Silicon Valley's start-ups fail not because of faulty product, but because they don't tap the right market and they don't know their customer. Well-seasoned serial entrepreneur Steve Blank drafts a new model for plotting the path between good idea and market success.

Mohr Davidow Ventures partner Erik Straser offers insight on the unfolding sector of new energy technologies, and discusses how it will be affected by an economy in credit crisis. He unveils the market's high level of industrial innovation, and offers students of entrepreneurship sound advice on finding the next crest in grand socioeconomic opportunity.

A network of U.S. cities facilitating a weekly entrepreneur education program. Go to 1 Million Cups >

Whether you are starting or growing a company, FastTrac will help you live your dream at each stage.Go to FastTrac >

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